There were hundreds of seats filled with amazing directors, top actors, and staff members. Kang Woo-jin sat in between them. The tension was at its peak, but Woo-jin couldn’t easily let go of the concept.
Because when the camera gets bored, it takes a picture of itself.
At that moment, his face appeared on the screen attached to the large stage in front of him. Only the ideal of a ‘drug dealer’ appeared. For a moment, Woojin felt as if something was boiling over.
“······”
Why is my face there? Oh, right? This was the Blue Dragon Film Festival. Kang Woo-jin had definitely experienced a film festival in the past. The ‘Mise-en-scène’ film festival. Well, the scale was smaller than the Blue Dragon, but at that time, Kang Woo-jin went through a similar process to what he is going through now.
But the excitement was different.
Because the picture itself was completely different.
Unlike the Mise-en-scène, the Blue Dragon Film Awards is watched by many people, and various figures in the entertainment industry are also watching. It is a grand festival that decorates the year of the Korean entertainment industry or the film industry.
In such a place, Kang Woo-jin’s name is called out as the first winner.
“The 41st Blue Dragon Film Awards! Best New Actor Award! Actor Kang Woo-jin of ‘Drug Dealer’!!”
Lively music and ear-piercing applause filled the grand hall.
-♬♪
Me? Oh- Really? Me? Kang Woojin stood up reflexively without any significant change in expression. Up until this point, he didn’t feel much of a burden. It was a short moment, and the movement was close to instinct.
but.
‘Wow- crazy, wait a minute.’
As soon as Kang Woo-jin stood up alone in the large hall, his field of vision changed 180 degrees. The angles of all the cameras focused on him, Kang Woo-jin’s face displayed on the screens and monitors, the gazes of hundreds of actors and directors, the outpouring of congratulations, the blinding flashes of light.
Kang Woo-jin’s mind becomes confused.
‘I feel dizzy, my legs are giving out.’
Of course, Woojin had experience at film festivals, but it didn’t help at all. The only thing that gave him strength was the concept he had maintained throughout. Maybe all the people Woojin had ever met were here. He needed everything, whether it was toughness, bluff, or dignity.
The temperature is hot.
The heat of a mega-film festival was like that, and the pouring lights felt like hot sunlight. It was hot. No one could tell, but cold sweat ran down Woojin’s back.
But what’s interesting is.
‘Don’t think too deeply. Kang Woo-jin, just empty your mind.’
As the outside got hotter, Woojin’s insides got colder. How many crises had he overcome so far? Woojin had unknowingly learned how to use extreme concepts in extreme situations.
A rookie actor who is an arrogant monster who says ‘I’m going my own way’.
A guy like that shouldn’t be shaken by something like this.
At this point, celebratory applause and shouts can be heard from the ‘drug dealer’ team sitting around Kang Woo-jin.
“Haha, Woojin! Congratulations!”
“Congratulations, should we go out quickly?”
“This is your first award as a ‘drug dealer’! Congratulations, Woojin!”
Jin Jae-joon, the lead actor of ‘Drug Dealer’, briefly hugged Kang Woo-jin and Park Pan-seo patted Woo-jin on the shoulder. Director Kim Do-hee and the staff gave him a thumbs up.
Woojin bowed his head calmly.
“thank you.”
Kang Woo-jin then calmly walks out and heads towards the stage. With each step, his heart feels colder. But he still has concerns.
What should I do with my acceptance speech?
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I had prepared something. I couldn’t ask anyone. I couldn’t ask for advice on acceptance speeches because it seemed like nothing happened. Thanks to that, Kang Woo-jin looked up acceptance speeches by watching old film festivals on YouTube. That’s how I prepared.
‘Dude, I honestly don’t remember a thing.’
Not a single word came to mind. It was desperate to maintain the concept in this vast film festival. But strangely, there was not a trace of tension on his indifferent face. Even his steps were leisurely. He had a calm demeanor, but he seemed to have a solid, concentrated demeanor.
It was vividly captured on camera.
The broadcast team PDs and staff were chatting away.
“Why are you so calm?”
“Right? Wow- PD, is Kang Woo-jin an actor who debuted this year? He looks like he came out of a neighborhood bar?”
“Aren’t you happy? Don’t you smile?”
“I think there will be controversy······.”
“I don’t know, we’re just taking pictures. Kang Woo-jin, pull a little closer and take the picture.”
“Ah- yes yes.”
Kang Woo-jin’s family and friends who were watching this were in an uproar. Kang Hyun-ah and her parents at Jukjip.
“Whoa!! Mom, mom!! My brother! My brother!!”
“Yes!! Our son!! Woojin! Oh my god?! Honey, are you crying??”
“······No, I’m just proud.”
“oh my god!!”
And Kang Woojin’s testicle friends.
“It’s so salty!! It’s salty!! It’s salty!!”
“K- Kang Woojin! This kid!! My shoulder is going up!!”
“Oh my, is this real?? I can’t believe it even after seeing it!”
Woojin’s SNS, YouTube channel, fan cafe, and various communities are also in turmoil.
On the other hand, Kang Woo-jin of the Blue Dragon Film Awards went up on the big stage without much change. It was his first Blue Dragon Film Awards stage, but he was very cynical.
When Woojin came up on stage.
“Kang Woo-jin has been causing a sensation since his debut this year, right? He received rave reviews for his performance as Lee Sang-man in ‘Drug Dealer’······”
Kang Woo-jin’s introduction continued from the MC’s seat, and for some reason, the top actors in the audience swallowed their saliva more nervously than he did. Hong Hye-yeon, who was more beautiful today than any other day.
“What, what is it? Why is Woojin-ssi’s expression like that? Ha- Why am I shaking? I can’t even guess what to say as a comment······”
Ryu Jeong-min, sitting next to her, had a similar look today, with his hair neatly slicked back.
“I wouldn’t have said anything wrong.”
“Oppa, it’s not someone else, it’s Woojin. Do you really think so?”
“······But still, he’s the first Blue Dragon?”
There was also a slight look of worry on the faces of Jin Jae-jun and Park Pan-seo of the ‘Drug Dealer’ team.
“I wish things were normal.”
“Well… it’s hard to say that Woojin himself is ordinary – he doesn’t look very happy, did you already expect that?”
“Well, I guess so. Hmm- Cheongryong already has a lot of firepower as a topic, but if Woojin, who is the center of attention, shows something unusual, the articles tomorrow will be really cringey.”
Ahn Jong-hak, Ha Kang-soo, and other actors from the ‘Our Table’ team and the ‘Missing Island’ team were having similar conversations.
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“Will it be okay?”
“I don’t know. But I’m kind of looking forward to it.”
“What is it?”
“It seems like Woojin is going to set off fireworks from the start?”
On the other hand, there were those who enjoyed it. Sitting next to each other were the biggest directors in the domestic film industry. They were Director Ahn Ga-bok and Director Kwon Ki-taek.
“Hehe, what do you think that guy is going to say?”
“First of all, it looks like he obviously expected to receive the Rookie of the Year award.”
“Yeah. Actually, since it’s the seat, it’s normal for him to show some surprise even if it was expected. As expected, Woojin-gun doesn’t do that at all.”
“Because there is no way to exaggerate or falsify things.”
“The reporters must be excited already. There has never been a rookie like that in the history of Cheongryong.”
“I think it will be like that in the future too.”
Also noticeable is the great actor Han Ha-jin, who is like a tiger. He is just staring at Kang Woo-jin on stage with his arms crossed.
“······”
The overall murmur gradually grew louder. Of course, Kang Woo-jin on stage didn’t hear a single word. All he could see were the two actors in the center of the stage. In their hands were the trophy for the Best New Actor award and a bouquet of flowers.
‘Is that mine?’
The gold trophy I saw on YouTube. The two actors who hosted the show smile as Kang Woo-jin approaches.
“Congratulations, Kang Woo-jin.”
Soon, the trophy and bouquet of flowers were presented to Kang Woo-jin. Woo-jin’s first impression upon receiving the trophy was simple.
‘It’s heavy.’
It was heavy. Soon, the two actors in charge of the delivery took a few steps back, and the music that was resonating gradually decreased. The lights on the ceiling were focused on Kang Woo-jin, and the temperature became hotter. All the screens and monitors in the hall displayed Kang Woo-jin’s full shot and face.
Meanwhile, Woojin is wearing a tuxedo.
“······”
He looked down at the trophy in his hand without saying a word. At the same time, the PD in front of the stage gestured to Kang Woo-jin. He told him to stand in front of the standing microphone and express his thoughts.
So Woojin stood in front of the standing microphone with a poker face.
When I looked straight ahead, I saw a huge number of faces. Top actors, big directors, they were all looking at me. It was a crazy sight. Why was this picture unfolding?
I don’t know, I don’t know.
-Ugh.
Kang Woo-jin first let out a small breath into the microphone.
“Hoo-”
At that moment, Woojin thought. There is no need to make his comments long. If he were to say them in detail, there would be gaps, and it might even cause unnecessary misunderstandings. He couldn’t remember the prepared comment.
‘So first of all, thank you.’
There was also a need for a stage-specific appearance. Kang Woo-jin provided the voice.
“Thank you to my parents, friends, fans, and the ‘Drug Dealer’ team for their support.”
A moment of silence. The broadcast team frowns. What? Is that the end? Clear confusion spreads. Fortunately, however, Woojin’s mouth slowly opens again.
“I don’t have any friends to talk to.”
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Another blank space. Kang Woo-jin’s gentle gaze slowly moves from the front. To the sides. It’s as if he’s scanning all the actors. In fact, at this time, Kang Woo-jin was desperately trying to think of his thoughts. Impact? Or should he just blandly say thank you again and leave?
What’s good?
However, the actors felt a strange feeling when they saw Woojin being caught on camera.
“Why······Doesn’t that guy look like he’s looking around at the actors?”
“Does it look that way?”
Kang Woo-jin made up his mind. Yes, it would be okay if it conveyed the nuance of “I will work hard in the future.” The feeling of wanting to be looked after is also a bonus. Kang Woo-jin, who recalled his ambitions with a certain amount of courtesy and toughness, hummed softly into the standing microphone.
“This year I won the Rookie of the Year award, but next year I will win the Lead Actor award. Please keep an eye out for it.”
In an instant, the spacious hall became quiet.
“······”
“······”
“······”
The broadcast PD who was busy also blinked his eyes. In any case, Kang Woo-jin did not forget to finish. He gave a small greeting to the hundreds of audience members in front of him. He also gave a greeting to the actors who gave him the award. He also gave a greeting to the host. The funny thing was that the pupils of everyone who received his greeting dilated.
But Woojin didn’t know this.
-Ugh.
He started to leave the stage with an indifferent face. The camera quickly followed him. The eyes of hundreds of actors also followed him. Several actors who knew Kang Woo-jin, including Hong Hye-yeon and Ryu Jeong-min, covered their faces.
“Ha- I knew this would happen.”
“······What on earth are you doing.”
The other actors couldn’t help but feel bewildered.
“What did he just say?”
“Warning? Didn’t I say that after we’ve looked around before you commented?”
“······Is it like, ‘Be tense because I’m being chased by you?’”
There are also some amazing actors. For example, Jin Jae-jun.
“If you experience Mr. Woojin directly… you will feel scared about that feeling-”
Sim Ha-ho laughed alone without anyone knowing.
“Huh- You really have guts.”
Well, whatever it was, it wasn’t conveyed to Kang Woojin at all. Woojin, who was returning to his seat, was currently only internally satisfied with his own comment.
‘Okay. It was okay because the ambitions and impressions were simple. Yeah, I passed.’
The problem was that it didn’t seem like aspiration. Kang Woo-jin didn’t know that. He was with director Kwon Ki-taek, who was smiling.
“For a moment······I forgot. That guy Kang Woo-jin is an arrogant monster actor.”
“Hahaha, I never thought he would reveal his distribution to all the actors so openly.”
Director Ahn Ga-bok recited.
“Isn’t this a declaration of war by a first-year actor in the Korean entertainment industry?”
It was a declaration of war, not an ambition.
since.
The Blue Dragon Film Awards, which had been quiet for a while after Kang Woo-jin’s Best New Actor award, finally got moving again. After the Best New Actress award, they even won the Most Viewed Film award.
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“Most Audience Award! Congratulations to ‘Drug Dealer’!”
Behind Kang Woo-jin, director Kim Do-hee of ‘Drug Dealer’ lifted the second trophy. Even during this time, the camera continued to focus on Kang Woo-jin. The surrounding actors also kept glancing at him.
There was no positivity in his gaze.
Of course, Woojin just kept his cynical attitude, which further fueled the atmosphere. Then, a congratulatory stage by a popular singer was held, and next was the turn of the short story awards.
And the Best New Director award.
Finally, the last stop of Part 1, the Popular Star Award, began. What’s interesting is…
-[Drug dealer ‘Kang Woo-jin’]
Following the Rookie of the Year award, Kang Woo-jin’s name is once again a candidate. In addition, unlike the Rookie of the Year award, the other candidates were quite strong actors.
So what’s the result?
“Popular Star Award!! Yes! Following the Rookie Award, actor Kang Woo-jin!! Congratulations!”
Kang Woo-jin received it. He won two crowns at Cheongryong alone. And that’s it.
“······I never thought I would receive the Popularity Star Award.”
“Isn’t it the first time to win the Rookie of the Year award in the same year as your debut and win two awards at the same film festival?”
“There was no new person declaring war in the first place.”
Today, Kang Woo-jin was making history. Whatever it was, Kang Woo-jin’s comments when he came on stage were short. ‘Thank you’ and ‘I feel the same way as when I won the Rookie of the Year award.’ But this time too, he was polite in greeting people here and there.
That’s how the first part of Blue Dragon ended.
During a brief break, fellow actors Hong Hye-yeon and Ryu Jung-min joined in and recited to Kang Woo-jin.
“Woojin, I know what you’re thinking, but······you should have held yourself back a little.”
“But what, should I say that this is more like Woojin?”
Jin Jae-jun was like that too.
“I thought it was refreshing and good. Well, I think I’ll get some negative looks from other actors in the future.”
The second part of the Blue Dragon Film Awards began. The second part started with awards for the staff, followed by awards for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress. And then came the awards for Best Actor and Best Leading Actress, which are called the flowers of the film festival.
The Best Actor award went to Jin Jae-jun.
Even.
“Best Picture Award!! Congratulations to ‘Drug Award’!!”
The last award, Best Picture, also went to ‘Drug Award’. As a result, this year’s Blue Dragon Film Awards could be seen as a ‘Drug Award’ award party. Of course, this is not something that has never happened before. It is not something that can be seen every year, but it is something that can be seen often.
And so the Blue Dragon Film Awards came to a grand close.
But the excitement continued even after the festival ended. In particular, the reporters who gathered there flashed their photos like crazy at one actor who was leaving the venue. It wasn’t Jin Jae-jun, who won the Best Actor Award.
“Mr. Kang Woo-jin!!! Mr. Kang Woo-jin!!”
“Please tell us your thoughts!!”
“Woojin!!”
“How does it feel to be the first person to win two crowns at the Blue Dragon Awards in your first year of debut?!!”
“What are your thoughts on this!!!”
“Mr. Kang Woojin!!”
It was Kang Woo-jin.
At this moment, Choi Sung-geon, who was in the passenger seat of the van carrying Kang Woo-jin, let out a long sigh while looking at his cell phone.
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“Wow, it came up so fast, tsk.”
Before Kang Woo-jin even got into the car.
『[Film Festival] Tension was struck in the loose domestic entertainment industry, Kang Woo-jin, a first-year actor, declared war with his remarks saying, “I will receive the Best Actor award next year.”』
Because the article about Kang Woo-jin was already being spammed.
end
